Fence-post



(No Model.)

H. B. GRANT.

FENCE POST.

No. 462,666. Patented May 7, 1669.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM B. GRANT, on CLEVELAND, omo.

FENCE-POST.

SCFCATI'ON forming part of Jetters Patent o. 402,666, dated May 1889.

Application filed September 5, 1888. Serial No. 284,600. (No model.)

To aZZ whom may concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM B. GRANT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specilication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful im provements in fence-posts, and the invention relates to that class of fence-posts constructed of wood.

The object of the invention is to construct a strong wooden fence-post with a maximum of strength and a minimum of material and with safeguards for preventing the decay of the wood in use, all as more fully hereinafter described, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in whichlFigure l is a detached perspective view of my fence-post constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line :c of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line y y of Fig. l, and Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the manner of cutting up the planks to make the posts.

l A and B are two tapering posts cut from an ordinary rectangular plank, C, of suitable dimensions, by cutting longitudinally through the plank on the slanting line D, which divides the plank into two approximately equal parts. These two parts are secured together in the form of a T in cross-section b y means of the cross-bolts E, which pass through the two parts and firmly un-ite them. The WashersF are interposed between the two posts around the bolts to form a separatingspace, G, preventing contact of the two parts, and thereby preventing the rapid decay which would naturally start first in the tight joint. The parts thus united form a post, which I additionally providewith an enlarged foot formed by means of cleats or blocks H, secured at the lower end of the posts to give an approximately square or rectangular bearing thereto. It will be seen that by constructing a post in this manner no lumber is Wasted, while at the same time the relative utmost strength is obtained by the gradual tapering increase in size from the top. This gives the smallest cross-'section at the top and the largest cross-section at the bottom. Thus the top, where little or no strain is felt, is of smallest size, and the gradual increase in strength to the base prevents any damage from heavy winds, Jac.

By the use of small washers a sufficient airspace is obtained to prevent decay, and in the part under the ground to prevent the accumulation of moist earth between the parts.

The construction of the foot gives a good bearing for the post, holds the parts from any lateral displacement, and at the same time prevents the Withdrawal or heaving the posts from the ground bythe action of freezing and thawing.

What I claim as my invention isl. In a wooden fence-post, the combination of the tapering posts A and B,forming the complementary parts of a plank, the cross-bolts E, securing them together in the form of a T, and the washers F upon the cross-bolts to form an air-space between the parts, substantially as described.

2. In a wooden fence-post, the combination of the tapering posts A B, forming the complementary parts of a rectangular plank, the cross-bolts E, securing them togetherl in the form of a T, the washers F between the posts and forming the air-space G, and the cleats H, secured at the base of the posts in the angles thereof, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 27th day of July, 1888.

HIRAM B. GRANT. 

